Raptors President Apologies For ‘Miscommunication’ in DeMar DeRozan Trade

Have you ever seen an NBA team’s front office apologize for trading a player? Welcome to 2018. The Toronto Raptors issued a public apology to recently traded all-star guard DeMar Derozan who was shipped to the San Antonio Spurs earlier this week. DeRozan recently signed a contract with the team to stay in the 6ix over his hometown of Los Angeles before he was traded. Raptors President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri apologized “for any miscommunication” regarding his future with the team.

ESPN reports Ujiri spoke on the trade and while stating he may have miscommunicated it was in parameters of his job:

“I had a conversation with DeMar at summer league, and I really want to leave it at that,” Ujiri said Friday. “We spoke … I think maybe my mistake was talking about what we expected going forward from him. So, not necessarily talking about a trade but what I expect from him going forward, and I think that’s where the gap was.

“In my job, I always have to assume we’re going forward with the team that I have. If there was a miscommunication there, I do apologize to DeMar and his family and his representation. It’s not what I meant,” he added.

Chris Haynes of ESPN state that DeRozan believes he would not be traded.

Changing the conversation, Ujiri seemed very pleased with Kawhi Leonard’s arrival and stated he had “to jump on it” in regards to obtaining Leonard for his Raptors and shoots down the rumors that Leonard does not want to play in Toronto.

How does DeMar DeRozan feel about the apology? You can see that below.